A leap of faith from banker to bishop

Ross Bay has been appointed as the new Anglican Bishop of Auckland. Photo / Dean Purcell

In his former career as a banker, Ross Bay's bosses told him he spent too much time talking to the customers.

He was straight out of sixth form and had discovered he loved dealing with people and making sure they were well looked after.

Although it lasted just four years, he credits his banking career for giving him the people skills he uses today which, combined with his protective personality, have now led to his appointment as the Anglican Bishop of Auckland.

He has made the most of those skills because for most of the 21 years since he was ordained, Bishop Bay has also had a sideline career as a volunteer for the fire police who assist the Fire Service.

Bishop Bay, 44, who is known as Bishop-elect until he takes over the post in March, sees his challenging new role as one of leadership and as a support person.

"You are the pastor to the pastors. You are the person who needs to ensure the others who are caring for people in their parishes are looked after." He said being a pastor could be very isolating because pastors were always looking after everyone else. "Who do you go to? Who do you talk to?" he said. His new role was ensuring those people had someone to go to.

He said while he had known for some time he had been recommended for the role, his new job was made official last Thursday.

"I think there's a combination of feeling quite excited on the one hand but also a bit daunted on the other. It's a big responsibility to be offered and the diocese is very large both geographically and in terms of the number of people that we're responsible for."

With 100 paid staff and other retired or volunteer clergy, there were a lot of people to look out for.

"All in all there are around 300 clergy - you're asked to care for them and to ensure that they're equipped and resourced for their work.

"I'm very aware of the level of responsibility I'm being invited to take. That's a daunting task. It's a huge privilege to be offered this role."

Asked how he managed the stress of his day job and the trauma in his voluntary role, his fondness for conversation again emerges - as does his passion for people and relationships.

"I think talking about the experience with others who have had the same or similar experience, having colleagues and being willing to talk about things is a big part of it."

Bishop John Paterson will retire in March.